No European leaders except Stubb, Store requested calls with Putin —Peskov
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that only Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre requested phone calls with Vladimir Putin. He confirmed that Putin did speak with both leaders on October 27.
On October 27, Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Stubb and Store at the request of the Finnish and Norwegian sides
Background
The reported conversations occurred amidst ongoing international relations challenges. Finland and Norway are neighboring countries to Russia, and their leadership engaging directly with the Russian president suggests a focus on bilateral issues or regional security concerns. The specific reasons for these requests were not disclosed.
Why it matters
This information provides insight into the limited direct high-level engagement between European leaders and the Russian president. It highlights which specific European nations, if any, are maintaining direct lines of communication.
Possible impact
The lack of broader requests for calls could signal a unified European stance on maintaining distance from the Russian leadership. It may also indicate a cautious approach from other European nations regarding engagement with Putin.